OPUNAKE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1695, 24 August 1904, Page 28

OPUNAKE

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The great football match —Britain v. Taranaki—lias taken place and has ended in a draw. Opunake folk who went to New Plymouth on Wednesday last are not likely to forget their experiences. Ail the accommodation was taxed to OA rerfloAving and many had to sleep in stables, whila a number passed the night in the streets. The weather was very bad and delayed the home-coming, but the last of the stragglers arrived safely this afternoon. Yno local Maoris celebrated the victory in true Maori style, viz., a, carouse. The Maoris received their rents one day last week, and as usual, on such occasions, they imbibed "not wisely, but too Avell,” much to the discomfort of persons AAtho found it necessary to be in their vicinity. At the Magistrate’s Court, before Messrs A. 11. Moore and Geo. Tin die. Js.P., Joseph Neal Avas charged with stealing a gold watch and chain, valued at £4 from John Krieger, of Pihama, also a lady's macintosh, gentleman’s macintosh and a nig from Mr Geo. King. Accused was sentenced to six Aveeks’ hard labour and was accordingly escorted to New Plymouth. Mumps are still in the vicinity and several young men have been compelled to lay up f->r repairs. The long-discussed raihvay joining Opunake and Bltham has not yet made any_ progress, despite the fact that an M.H.R., avlio represents’ a constituency not a hundred miles from here, promised that if he Avere elected he would have the line started Avitiiin three years. *So far no start lias yet been made, the Government being Avithout the services of a stray surveyor to do the survey. August 18th.